Are images still relevant?
If we ask which social media platforms are currently popular, chances are that you will mention TikTok or Instagram. Short videos are trendy, but what about pictures and images?
Several platforms allow you to share images and photos. Although taking less time to create usually, a photo can help you catch the attention of a potential customer when they spend time on social media. Of course, to increase your chances of success, you need to use a perfect image with the proper format and size. As you can imagine, the required size and format change from one platform to another. They also change with time or trends. Let us see what is recommended in 2023.
Facebook
Let us start with Facebook, one of the oldest platforms used today. As you already know, Facebook allows you to publish texts, photos, and videos. Regarding photos, importing images in JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, or TIFF format is possible.
Have you ever noticed that some publications are in the shape of a square while others are rectangular or with some borders? When it is a link, Facebook will usually use a rectangular format. When it is a picture without a link, it will likely be a square. For a square format, aim for 1200 x 1200 pixels, and 1200 x 630 for the rectangular format.
Please note that your profile picture will be displayed in a 170 x 170 pixels format, and 820 x 312 pixels will be needed for your profile cover.
Instagram
Initially, Instagram was known as the platform where to share beautiful photos. Although it is now possible to publish Stories and videos, images remain important. As is the case with Facebook, it is possible to use different types of pictures on Instagram: JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF.
Square, horizontal, and vertical images can be shared according to the available formats. If you want to use a square image, aim for 1080 x 1080 pixels. If you prefer a landscape format, ensure that your image is 1080 x 566 pixels. Finally, choose a 1080 x 1350 size image for a portrait. Whatever your choice, your photos and images should have 1080 pixels width for an optimal result.
Regarding the profile picture, the size will be 150 x 150 pixels.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn can be a relevant place to go if you are a professional and want to increase your network. You can share different types of content, whether it is photos, texts, and videos. You can also use different types of files like PNG, JPG, and GIF, and documents in PDF, XLS, and PPT.
On your LinkedIn news feed, you will notice that many sizes are used; however, choosing images of 1200 x 628 pixels is recommended. Regarding your profile logo, it will be displayed in 300 x 300 pixels. Remember to add a professional-looking cover; the suggested dimensions are 1128 x 191 pixels.
Discover the most frequent mistakes to avoid on LinkedIn.
Pinterest
Pinterest remains one of the platforms where images are the most important. Millions of people use this social media daily to find ideas and inspiration. If you want your pin to stand out, it must look beautiful.
Whether you decide to use a PNG or JPG file on Pinterest, your image must be of excellent quality. Regarding pins, the recommended size is 1000 x 1500 pixels for the vertical format; however, it is possible to publish square-shaped pins. The suggested dimensions here are 1000 x 1000.
The profile image will be displayed in 165 x 165 pixels for its parts. The cover must be at least 800 x 400 pixels wide.
Twitter
In the last months, Twitter changed many things about how it works and what is recommended. Although this social media is mainly used for short texts, we can add images or videos. File formats like GIF, JPG, and PNG are accepted.
The displayed images on Twitter will be 600 x 355 pixels. It is important to mention that the weight must not exceed 5 Mo. Regarding the profile picture, a 400 x 400 pixels format is suggested, while 1500 x 500 is recommended for the banner. If you decide to make ad campaigns, other formats will be available.
In conclusion, we know it may feel complicated to understand which format type and size to use for social media content. If needed, use templates or tools to help you create everything you need with the correct dimensions. Remember to use beautiful pictures for your website or Instagram page to catch people's attention. Good luck!